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Iggy Azalea Cancelled, Marriages Still On Hold In Arkansa, Trans* Soldiers to Serve in the Military – QueerMinded National News 6/11/15

June 30, 2015

This photo was obtained via google images.

This week QueerMinded dives into Arkansas marriage recognition, Iggy Azalea's pride performance cancelled, the acceptances of Trans* soldiers in the military and much more queer news from around the nation. Originally broadcast on June 11th, 2015 on QueerMinded.

Iggy Azalea’s Pride appearance has been cancelled

Due to controversial tweets dealing with racism and homophobia rapper, Iggy Azalea’s performance organizers replaced her just a few days before the scheduled show.. After LGBTQ and ally groups vowed to boycott the event this weekend Pittsburgh Pride cancelled Iggy Azalea’s performance. Azalea drew controversy for racist and homophobic tweets from 2010, groups like Pittsburgh GLSEN said they wouldn’t participate if Azalea was performing. Azalea has issued a statement of apology via twitter. Pop star Nick Jonas will fill her spot at Pride.

Arkansas state ban was struck down

Arkansas has been ordered to recognize the weddings of 500 same-sex couples, who married before a marriage ban was put back in place. The state’s Republican administration has done its best to avoid all recognition of the marriages – but on June 10,2015 Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen has ruled that the 500 licenses are valid. After the ban was replaced in May, The judge wrote in his ruling: “With shameless disrespect for fundamental fairness and equality, (Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Director Larry Walther) insists on treating the marriages of same-sex couples who received marriage licenses between May 9 and May 15 as ‘void from inception as a matter of law”.

Trans* soldiers to serve in the Military.

The American Medical Association is giving the green light for trans* soldiers to serve in the military. Several organizations, including the United States Air Force have come out supporting an end to the ban. Despite the fact that the ban on gay, lesbian or bisexual members, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, was repealed in 2011, the ban on transgender military service is still in place because of an old regulation. The Palm Center estimates that there are over 14,500 active duty Transgender personnel in the Armed Forces.